The Update That Wasn’t on Come and Dine at Highclere

Happy Easter, everyone! It’s a day of celebration, get togethers with family, joyful church services and depending on the age of your offspring, massive chocolate overload.

We are still in England, and I wanted to share some pictures of the lambs we have seen whilst touring the countryside, and to give you an update on what’s happening with Come and Dine at Highclere.

Yesterday was the big announcement date, according to the original contest details. I checked a few times throughout the day; nothing. Finally around 4:00 pm Lady Carnarvon added a blog to her website saying that the process of choosing a winner had proved quite difficult, and thanking everyone for their participation. She went on to say,

“The aim of Come and Dine was to engage with everyone who loves Highclere, PBS, Egypt, Downton, food and dining. The response to all these themes has been wonderful. Despite this we have had the difficult decision of having to choose one Grand Prize winner.

This person went above and beyond everything we were expecting from people entering Come and Dine and we will be thrilled to announce fully to the public who this is next Thursday (5th April).”

Rats! Another five days? Really???? Once I’d swallowed my disappointment and frustration at the delay, the wheels began to turn. Hmmm. Very interesting. If I were a betting woman, I’d wager that “above and beyond” involved a large gala for charity, perhaps at one of the Gilded Age Mansions in Newport or an hotel like The Breakers in Florida complete with vintage cars, liveried footmen and professionally costumed guests. Absolutely spectacular, aaaannd perhaps something of a surprise to the contest sponsors, especially If they want to encourage people of more modest means to participate in future events.

Glenn and I spent an hilarious evening envisioning all the possible reasons for the delay and came to the tentative conclusion that the sponsors might be trying to have a Grand Prize winner and perhaps need to make arrangements for some additional prizes, along the lines of old English flower shows that included separate prizes for Gentry and Cottage Gardens, the divide being if you had gardening help you were gentry, if you didn’t, you were Cottage. Who knows? Time will tell!

In the meantime, we shall enjoy Easter and the rest of our holiday. For us, plans include attending an Easter Service today with the full choir at St. Alban’s Cathedral. We had the unexpected pleasure of attending a service at Lichfield Cathedral earlier this week, and it was incredibly beautiful. As you know, I love exploring the history and photographing the architecture of cathedrals. Watching them “in action” so to speak, serving their originally intended purpose and seeing the congregation drawn together in song is very moving.

On to the lambs. I snapped these pictures in a field near Broadway, in the Cotswolds. Fields full of lambs are everywhere right now, as most lambs are born in March. We whiz along, me giving running commentary on how many of them, whether or not they’re standing up, and can Glenn pull over, please. We managed to find a side road here to pull over safely and I stood by the gate, camera in hand, watching the antics of the lambs and their mums. I think they thought I had something for them to eat, because they were very curious!

I just realized it’s also April Fool’s Day, so be on the lookout today, people! No telling what kind of jokes your small fry might wreak on the unwary, especially combined with Easter festivities.

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41 Comments

Elizabeth Speicher
on April 1, 2018 at 3:06 am

Ms. Kain,

Arrggh! I went to the Highclere blog myself several times only to be met with disappointment. Then got all excited when an e-mail notification indicated that the lady of manor had posted. Hot footed it to the site to be greeted with what you share above…not what I was hoping for.

All the work of so many people, all their anticipation, what a let down! The winner of Come and Dine event better be darn fantastic for all the build up. Now I want to see Julian Fellows serving as butler, Derek Jacobi wearing a King Tut mask, Dame Judy Dench handing a million dollar check to PBS and Lawrence Olivier resurrected from the dead all eating from solid gold trenchers.

Seriously, I think that Lady Carnarvon may not have anticipated a lot of things about Come and Dine. Mainly the number of entrants and also the wide variety of dining styles and efforts. Still holding out hope for you, Ms. Kain.

What a banquet of delights you are having during Easter in England thanks for sharing.

I have my own theory regarding the delay of contest announcement. The only “Come and Dine” photos shown on the public website are photos without people in them. (soup prep 02/08/18). The photos we saw of the parties were sent only to people who had registered their interest on the website: a private group, not public. My theory is that the grand prize winner has been notified and the Highclere staff is in process of getting photo clearances signed so they can publicly display the winner’s name and likeness on the website. Lady Carnarvon’s phrasing “announce fully to the public who this is next Thursday” lends creedence to this possibility.

As to “runner’s up, somewhere along the way, I believe Lady Carnarvon had commented to the effect that there would be several runner-up prizes from the gift shop . Perhaps this has changed: time will tell.

I love reading all these comments and speculations….so much fun. I just thought I would mention a small hole in Linda’s wonderful theory. The rules and regulations state that all photos and media materials submitted to the competition become the property of the promoters and can be used at any time on their web site of for publicity of the event…all licensing for usage now goes to the promoters of the event. Something like that (see quote below) so I don’t believe any release signatures are necessary.

“You agree that the Promoter may, but is not required to, make your entry available on its website http://www.highclerecastle.co.uk and any other media, whether now known or invented in the future, and in connection with any publicity of the competition. You agree to grant the Promoter a non
-exclusive, worldwide, irrevocable licence, for the full period of any intellectual property rights in the competition entry and any accompanying materials, to use, display, publish, transmit, copy, edit, alter, store, reformat and sublicence the competition entry and any accompanying materials for such purposes.”

Maybe they’re being extra cautious, Gary, with the other people included in the pictures? In that the entrant may not be in a position to waive the guests rights? Just pure speculation – I’m not a lawyer – thank heaven 🙂

I never thought of that! Good point. ahhhhhh, just when I think I’ve figured it out……………………

LOL

Linda Whittlesey
on April 2, 2018 at 1:01 pm

Exactly Helen! I dashed my comment off on the way to the gym in a bit of a rush without fully fleshing out my thought. To be specific, one of the contestants can’t defensibly sign away the rights for photos of one of their guests. At least that is how it works in California…

Your comments were really helpful, Linda, and added another layer to how this whole situation might have unfolded. Thanks!

Linda Whittlesey
on April 3, 2018 at 1:52 pm

My pleasure. Did you (and you, Gary) notice that when Lady Carnarvon first introduced this contest idea, the concept was to invite the FOUR couples that threw the best four parties? Eventually, she evolved it into the current “winner-take-all” format. Both ideas are interesting.

As it turns out, my husband Gregg and I will be enjoying a self-awarded consolation prize. We entered the Royal Horticultural Society’s lottery last fall for the chance to purchase tickets for the Chelsea Flower Show Charity Gala Preview Dinner. Luckily, our “number came up” apparently. We secured tickets and we are really looking forward to that event on May 21st.

Ooh, ooh! The Chelsea Flower Show is on my list of “must dos”. I will be with you in spirit. Have a marvellous time. What a fantastic idea for a self-issued consolation prize!

And what a great idea the four couples is – how interesting it would have been to meet three other couples, all involved in hosting fabulous dinner parties. So terrific! As you say, both ideas have merit; I wonder if the four couples idea might be resurrected at some other time?

Glad you enjoyed the photos. Lots more to come when I get a chance to post.

Gary
on April 2, 2018 at 6:43 pm

The mystery continues…. Lady Carnarvon just replied to the latest comment on her update blog saying:

“There were amazing entries and in the end tears! I will share on Thursday.” Lady Carnarvon April 2, 2018 at 8:30 pm

Yes Linda! When I first thought of entering the competition I read the same thing… the prize would go to 4 couples who hosted the best parties. And then they changed it. Personally I think it would have made things much easier for them to have awarded the 4 couple/hosts. And it would have been fantastic to meet 3 other winning couples! I’m not sure why they changed it. Linda, did you enter the competition as well?

Linda Whittlesey
on April 4, 2018 at 1:20 am

I did enter. My video was the one that you found on Youtube with the vintage car and the opera singer. 🙂

Gary
on April 4, 2018 at 4:51 am

How wonderful! Loved it! You and Helen both did extraordinary videos and as far as I am concerned “Above and Beyond applied to both of you”. Favorite part; “Shall we go through” LOL

Linda Whittlesey
on April 4, 2018 at 3:17 pm

Thanks! We had lots of fun that night: a great memory. I would love to see your party pix or video someday.

Gary – talk about “above and beyond”. I can’t believe you did that all in eight days! From moving all the furniture to set the stage for the Titanic dinner (love the backdrop), the invitation, incredible food prep, right down to the green screen and photo editing. Amazing! Fingers crossed for you. I really believe yours qualifies. Here’s hoping!

Linda Whittlesey
on April 5, 2018 at 9:55 am

Gary,
I am so delighted that you shared those pictures and your fabulous website. The party pictures were OUTSTANDING. I can see that you, Helen and I have very similar tastes and interests, judging in part from our similar travel itineraries. I also love mysteries in virtually all forms. Thus, I think your site is terrific and displays great creativity and whimsy. I will share both Entertablements.com and your site with my daughter and with friends. My daughter (like her mother) is a die-hard Jane Austen fan, so we visited Bath last year. Next month, my husband will join me there as well. Congratulations on your runner-up award!

Gary
on April 6, 2018 at 1:32 pm

Hi Linda and Helen, I just wanted to share with you another video. This is the party that we saw in the preview pictures that Lady Carnarvon posted on her early update. The lovely cottage with all the staff standing outside. The party was hosted by Darcie Leeder who contacted me this morning, she is also a great internet sleuth who desperately wants to see other participants from the competition, and managed to locate me. I hope you don’t mind that I shared with her both of your amazing videos. She was thrilled. Here is her video link:

Love your blog entry today, the pictures and insight on the contest. We too were checking the site regularly yesterday, in-between baking Hot Crossed Buns for our family Easter get together, and like you, a little disappointed for the delay.

We didn’t receive a notice for the update from lady Carnarvon’s blog until late last night, so thank you for keeping us in the loop!

I told Gerald the same-thing you mentioned in your post that “above and beyond” must be revering to a large sum of money raised at an event.

But I love your positive spin, thinking that the delay may be also due to the judges rethinking the awards. And that there may be a few honorable mentions!
I love Elizabeth Speicher comment above “Dame Judy Dench handing a million dollar check to PBS and Lawrence Olivier resurrected from the dead all eating from solid gold trenchers. ” LOL

Hi Linda and Helen, I just wanted to share with you another video. This is the party that we saw in the preview pictures that Lady Carnarvon posted on her early update. The lovely cottage with all the staff standing outside. The party was hosted by Darcie Leeder who contacted me this morning, she is also a great internet sleuth who desperately wants to see other participants from the competition, and managed to locate me. I hope you don’t mind that I shared with her both of your amazing videos. She was thrilled. Here is her video link:

What a fabulous video! Congratulations to Darcie. I see she got honorable mention, and can see why. Her video was so imaginative and beautifully executed! I’ll add it to the post on the winner. Thanks Gary!

Hello all and Helen! I have loved your submission and your follow up blog too!!! We had so much fun creating our dinner party and just being able to share among other is rewarding!! We are so impressed by Gary’s Titanic theme and your beautiful family’s dining experience too!!! Congrats to you too!!!!

Thanks, Darcie! It has indeed been all kinds of fun to see eveyone’s submissions. We should all be darned proud of ourselves. Hehe!

Linda Whittlesey
on April 6, 2018 at 2:02 pm

Ok Gary, so I am IN LOVE with that video! Thanks for sharing. Bravo to Darcie Leeder! That was absolutely ABOVE and BEYOND as far as I am concerned. It touched my Midwestern-born and bred heart. Beautiful kids too… Helen, thanks for being the de-facto clearing house for all us who want to enjoy viewing these fabulous “variations on a theme.” You, along with Gary’s help, are filling a void for all of us.

Ha! I had a queasy feeling that big money would be a player in this. Let’s hope they see beyond the mere buying of frills. Filthy lucre is not what Highclere or Downton is about, but PBS is a very big business and may have a say. I agree that they were naive in not assuring a level playing field, and now they may be in the uncomfortable position of having to snub some big contributors who tried to “one up” each other. Let’s trust they do the right thing.

You are in my favorite part of England, at least many years ago when it was virtually empty. At our last visit, in September to the Jensen works, I was amazed at how crowded it has grown. (I hadn’t been to places like the Slaughters since the 70s!) I hope you get to Lords of the Manor and that it is still as beautiful as ever. Have a wonderful Easter weekend! Cheers, Beatrice

Hi Beatrice.
Agreed on all points and naive is a good way to characterize the approach to this somewhat awkward situation.
We haven’t been back to the Cotwolds for a few years, and are thoroughly enjoying it. Where but in England would you have not only an Upper but a Lower Slaughter? It always makes me chuckle.
We’ve finished the service at St. Albans and are now heading over to say hi to Waddesdon Manor and have lunch at the Five Arrows.
Happy Easter!
Best,
Helen

Helen,
Ewe, ewe and ewe!!
I see more prizes on the horizon considering Your gentry and cottage theory spectrum.
My goodness, Elizabeth Speicher has captured our anticipatory
Speculation in a nutshell!
Your Easter Day sounds delightful, Helen. April 5th can only be anticlimactic.
Best,
Kathleen

We’re still cheering for you. You certainly had all the bells and whistles at your dinner which, I think, would outdo anything at Highclere Castle.

By time you get this you will have already enjoyed your day. Love the pics of the little lamb. This was my favourite time of the year when we lived there especially the sea of daffodils and blue bells. I brought some clumps of snow drops back and they are now blooming in my garden. Memories!! Enjoy the rest of your travels. Happy motoring.

Hey Maura,
We are back at Hartwell House now, slurping wine and beer (guess who’s having what).
Spring in England is incredible. The fruit trees are just starting to bloom and the daffodils are in full flower. Like the Cape, they’re everywhere!
Hope you and Bill have a lovely Easter. Happy bunny!
Xo
HK

I am sure that the waiting must have been terrible and then to find out that you have to wait even longer is that much worse. Perhaps no news is good news. Keeping my fingers crossed because I believe that your party fit the description of above and beyond.

You are too kind, Lorri! I think our entry could stand up to others who entertained at home and did their own food and table prep, but I fear it is not even close to the “above and beyond” the organizers referred to. I’m envisioning something along the lines of one of the charity events or hunt balls Carolyne Roehm put together and described in her “Passion for Parties” book. We shall see, though! Thanks again 🙂